A Federal High Court in Lagos has sentenced 35-year-old Courage Ipaka to two years in prison for impersonating Nigerian musician Flavour and defrauding a U.S. woman of $53,000. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) launched an investigation after a petition was filed by concerned parties on behalf of victim Yvelte M. Thompson.
The court heard how Ipaka posed as Flavour, promising to organize music shows in the U.S. in exchange for payment. He received the money through Bitcoin, converting it into Naira and depositing it into his bank account. The scam, orchestrated in 2021, successfully tricked the victim.
Ipaka admitted to the charges, and during the investigation, the EFCC recovered N7.9 million, which will be returned to the victim. The presiding judge, Justice Dehinde Dipeolu, sentenced Ipaka to two years in prison but allowed him the option of paying a fine of N2 million instead of serving the term.
The EFCC hailed the conviction as a win in its fight against cyber fraud, ensuring that victims like Thompson receive justice.